Pregnancy Survival: Baby on Board Badge

As I have mentioned in my Festival Essentials post, I am off to Wireless Festival this coming weekend!!  Some may say I am a crazy preggo woman but I don't see why I should miss out on a fun day out just because I am carrying a baby!

I am however concerned about staying safe at the festival as we all know they can get a little crowded and out of hand (mainly from sweaty teenagers creating mosh pits or punch ups!)  So we will be steering clear of the front of the stage and settling ourselves in a little further back than we usually would, I am also going with boys so they will be creating a "human wall" around me to keep me safe from harm!

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One thing I was worried about was the tube journey too and from the event, as its in Stratford this year which is a nightmare on a normal Saturday let alone when people are on their way to get down to a bit of Jay Z!  I did a little research online and found out you can get badges to wear for the tube so people who are blind and can't see your bump can clearly see you are pregnant and will hopefully let you sit down!  I think this is a great idea and I think the badge is pretty retro so I don't mind wearing it, I just hope people don't ignore it and will actually give up their seat for this little preggo lady!

If you want to claim a free Transport for London Baby on Board badge just email your full name and address to babyonboard@tfl.gov.uk or call 0343 222 1234

Have you got a Baby on Board badge??  Do people pay attention to it?!

21 Week Update

How far along?  21 weeks

Total weight gain:  Still not sure but this week bump has grown and grown!  Its starting to get a little harder now too!  I don't think I have put much weight on elsewhere so hopefully its all just baby

Maternity clothes?  I had a meltdown last weekend and got in a rage about having NOTHING to wear! I seem to struggle most on hot days as its hard to wear vests and things without boobs falling out everywhere and just generally everything being terribly unflattering.  So i had had enough and my lovely other half took me to Southampton where I spent around £70 on some new maternity gear!  I got so much for that amount of money though and I am really pleased with my purchases.  I got it all from H&M's Mama range which wasn't huge at all, just a few rails but it was full of really nice bits that were also all in the sale!  I will do a separate post for what I bought if anyone is interested? (The red jersey dress in my bump pic this week is one of my purchases and was only £5!!)

Stretch marks?  None but I have noticed a purple'ish looking teeny tiny vein showing near my belly button that I don't know if its the beginnings of a stretch mark or possibly a spider vein!?  Either way I dislike it and it has encouraged me to use twice the amount of Bio Oil!

Sleep:  I haven't slept at all well this week, possibly due to the sticky muggy weather but also because I just feel so uncomfortable now my bump has started to really grow.  I am thinking a pregnancy pillow is next on my agenda to buy as just hugging a cushion isn't cutting it right now

Best moment this week:  I have actually really liked the fact that my bump has grown as I was getting a bit of a complex being so small.. people say some really odd comments and almost look worried that you aren't sporting a huge bump when you are halfway through your pregnancy! 

Worst moment this week:  Lack of sleep mainly and just being a little uncomfortable in general when sitting down at work!

Miss anything?  I have missed brie this week!

Movement: SO much movement! Last night for the first time he actually woke me up kicking! I also felt a really odd movement yesterday where it felt like his hand or foot or something stroked the wall of my tummy! So creepy but also cute!!

Food cravings:  No food cravings this week but still can't get enough of cold coke, especially in this warm weather

Anything making you queasy or sick:  nothing at all this week!

Gender: Boy!!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms:  I have felt pretty good this week health wise, just a bit tired from

some late nights! Heartburn hasn't been too bad at all either. I am feeling a lot more aches and pains now my bump is growing more and the old stabbing ligament pain is in full force!

Belly button in or out?  In but going a little flat so I reckon it will pop out very soon!

Happy or moody most of the time?  H.A.P.P.Y

Looking forward to:  Moving into our new home!!! Eeeek! We are going to have a little party to celebrate! Also can't wait for Wireless festival next weekend.. I have my Baby On Board badge at the ready! 

Bump:

Baby Buys: Grobag Egg Thermometer

I was recommended the Grobag Egg Thermometer by a friend with a newborn and she advised it is a complete essential for any new mother! 

Its a very simple little device that will glow different colours according to the temperature of the room -  a very important thing to know for you and your little one! Health professionals recommend that the room your baby sleeps in should be between 16 and 20°C to help reduce the risk of cot death

The egg, which also doubles up as a night light, will glow yellow if the temperature is between the recommended guidelines   It also has a digital LCD screen to tell you what the temperature is

This wasn't something I was going to purchase until nearer Harry's due date but I saw an offer on the Bounty website that I couldn't miss out on, you can get the Grobag Egg Thermometer and a cute Egg Shell for £14.95!  Usual price is £34.95 so it is definitely worth getting if you are interested in one!

Have you used the Grobag Egg Thermometer or will you be getting one??

The Halfway Mark: To Do List

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Half bloody way, how on earth did we get here!?

I am continuously moaning about how slowly this pregnancy has been going but thinking about it now I have no idea how we have already made it past the 20 week mark!  Nuts.

So hitting halfway through my pregnancy actually makes me panic slightly, it feels like there is SO much we need to buy and do.  As with everything in my life the only way I can get things done is with a good solid British list, so here is my to do list for the next 20 weeks!

Decide on and buy nursery furniture - I think we found the set for us this weekend in Mamas and Papas, its a 3 piece set called Sienna and we really like it in white. 
The units will grow with Harry as they aren't very babyish and the cot turns into a cot bed very easily saving us a bit of cash there.  The top of the changing unit is also removable which turns it into a normal chest of drawers which I love and the wardrobe is really spacious for all of his lovely clothes!
We also need to find a good comfy armchair to use as a nursing chair, we need something cosy and that I can basically fall asleep in!

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Decorate Harry's nursery - We have already decided on a colour scheme which will be light blue, light grey and white, and we are going to have a slight elephant theme!  We have already found loads of cute accessories and I can't wait to start putting it all together!  I also need to find some good blackout curtains to prevent the little one waking up when the sun rises!!

Buy Harry's first outfit - We're going to go shopping and pick a first outfit for Harry.  I am thinking something pure white with a matching hat!

Buy Ewan the Dream Sheep - This was included in my latest wish list here

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Start collecting books for the nursery - I keep banging on about it but I really want loads of books for Harry's nursery so I can read to him as soon as possible.  He will have all the classic books that I loved as a child, The Very Hungry Caterpillar  We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Tiger That Came For Tea and The Enchanted Wood

Decide when I am going to leave work - I really need to get organised and fill in my paperwork for when I will be taking my maternity leave.. I haven't even requested my MATB1.  Its really difficult to decide when to leave as obviously I want as much time at home after Harry is born as possible but I also want a nice relaxing few weeks at home to prepare for his arrival.  I have saved up a few weeks holiday so maybe I will leave 4 - 6 weeks before he is due but we'll see

Write a birth plan - Birth. Eeek.  I basically know pretty much how I want my birth to go.  I really want an epidural, I am so bad with pain and I don't want to put myself through it unnecessarily when the option is available to ease it!  I will have Scott and my sister as my birthing partners and my sister is cutting the cord!  I guess I may need to elaborate on my plan a bit but for now that is all I have!  I wasn't really sure how you even write a birth plan and I am sure most other first time mummys are the same but I found lots of information here and also a blank plan you can print and fill out

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Have you made a list of things you need to do before baby arrives??



Pregnancy Survival: Festival Essentials

I am off to a couple of festivals this year the first one being in just a couple of weeks time!  I am a little nervous as it will be a totally different experience whilst pregnant, not to mention sober!  Saying that I am really excited about it and the fact I can't drink doesn't really put me off as I will be the one without a sore head the next morning!

Here are some of my essentials for festival season this year:

Tie Dye Smock Dress £17.50 from ASOS - Gone are my itty bitty denim shorts and in their place is this beautiful flowing smock dress from ASOS.  This isn't from their maternity range but it is the perfect cut for the size of me right now and to be honest I don't even look very pregnant in it at all!  Comfort is my biggest thing at the moment and style is equally important, the pattern of this dress is spot on for the festival feel

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Pro Dark Spray £15.49 from Feel Unique - Since Harry is taking up a lot of our time and money we aren't having a summer holiday this year and there isn't much chance of me catching rays in Britain so I will need a good fake tan to see me through the rest of this year.  This L'Oreal one is really quite good and gives you a really good even sun kissed tan that Cheryl Cole would be envious of

Hunter Regent Savoy £125 from Hunter - Now the ones in the picture are super shiny and lovely, mine however are covered in a variety of festival crap and have lost their shine BUT they are still the most amazing wellingtons ever as they look more like a stylish boot than a smelly welly!  They are expensive but trust me you will want to invest

Rope Crown Headband £8 from ASOS - Headwear is a must.  I usually go for a hippy flower strung headband or a bowler hat but this year I think i will go a little different and wear a chain in my hair.  I love this one from ASOS and I think it will go really well with my smock dress

Leather Stud Fringe Across Body Bag £20 from ASOS - I really love fringe bags and I think they look great at festivals.  This one has a long strap so its easy to wear as well as keeping your belonging really safe and close to you

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine £8 from ASOS - I wouldn't go anywhere without my beloved Korres Lip Butter in the shade Jasmine.  Its really really hydrating and is such a lovely subtle pink colour

Kleenex Pocket Pack 97p from Boots - I don't really need to explain why these are a billion percent necessary - just make sure you have at least 2 or 3 packs

Gaviscon Strawberry Tablets  £2.99 from Boots - The last thing I want to do at a festival is complain about my annoying acid reflux so these sweets will be a lifesaver when I can't carry round a hefty bottle of Gaviscon liquid!  It also means I can treat myself to a greasy burger without suffering too hard after it!

Are you going to any festivals this year whilst pregnant??

20 Week Scan

Our 20 week scan was this week and not only was it a very very exciting time but it was also a very nerve wracking time, as your baby's organs are pretty much developed and this scan is to check that everything is OK with their teeny tiny bodies!

After our scare last week I think the nerves were probably at their highest but I can very happily say that everything looked fine with little Harry and he's cooking just nicely in there!

I basically had to be tipped almost vertical halfway through my scan so that he would move, as he was snuggled right into my pelvis and the doctor wanted to see his face which is why our scan picture is at a funny angle!

I can't believe how big he looks in the photos, it hardly seems possible that he is curled up inside my belly!

I'm a little sad that this is probably the last time we will see Baby H before he is born but this makes me more excited for his arrival!

Were you nervous before your 20 week scan??

20 Week Update

How far along? 20 weeks HALFWAY!!!!!!!!

Total weight gain:  Not a clue!  I am all bump so far though

Maternity clothes?  Nothing new but I really need some new flattering tops.. I feel so frumpy in everything lately!

Stretch marks? None yet.   I have upped my moisturising routine up another level and have been using the Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser which is almost like using a conditioner but on your skin!  I really love how silky soft my skin feels afterwards and it feels like my tummy is getting an extra layer of hydration that will hopefully keep my skin nice and elastic

Sleep:  I have been sleeping really well since having my time off work, probably as I was so relaxed.  I have had some really weird dreams though!

Best moment this week:  Seeing our little boy at our 20 week scan was amazeballs!  He looks so big compared to the last scan!  So happy that he is growing fine and all cosy in there

Worst moment this week:  My body has started to ache a lot in the evenings and its very uncomfortable.  My ribs feel so sore and also my back, it must just be all the pressure from baby/uterus and from organs moving all over the show!

Miss anything?  Well a friend of mine just told me that I can in fact eat dippy eggs so I might indulge in one or two this weekend and then my life will be complete again!

Movement: TONS!  He doesn't stop kicking and wiggling about which I find so comforting!  Its so annoying though as every time Scott puts his hand on my tummy he stops completely.. darn!

Food cravings:  Still a cold glass of coke with ice!  Its bad because of the sugar and caffeine content but I don't have much other caffeine so that is my excuse

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not put off by the smell of coffee so much anyone which is good news!  We found a dead bird outside our door last night though and had to bag it up to bin it and that made me heave like crazy!  Poor birdie :(

Gender: Boy!!

Labor signs: None

Symptoms:  Just the aches and pains in the evening and the constant heartburn.  Generally feeling better in myself though and a lot less stressed out

Belly button in or out?  In

Happy or moody most of the time?  Happy again!

Looking forward to:  We finally have a new house so I cannot wait to move in and start making it into our home.. Harry's nursery is top of my list

Bump:

Wishlist

1.  Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitor £74.46 from John Lewis - I have heard really good things about this monitor, it has a motion sensor pad that doens't go off every 5 seconds, alarming you, your other half and your baby.  We were going to go for a video monitor but decided against it as we could possibly get a little too obsessed with watching our little one, plus our parents never had those when we were babies and we turned out just fine!

2.  Millie and Boris Baby Record Book £18.50 from Mamas and Papas - This is one of the nicest baby record books I have seen, it is jam packed full of pages to record the life of your little one as well as little pockets and envelopes for you to put little souvenirs from your journey together in

3.  Elephant Print Baby Blanket £20 from John Lewis - Since we are going with a slight elephant theme for Harry's nursery this baby blanket is a must have for us! Its so so cute, just right colour blue and is amazing quality

4.  Easidream Ewan the Sheep £27.50 from Precious Little One - We have recently been reccommended this little cutie by friends with a baby and they have advised that this is one thing we MUST buy! Ewan the sheep emits soothing sounds at a low base frequency  that can be played to your baby even before birth into your belly.  The sounds of heartbeats and womb sounds can be heard which really helps to calm your baby and send them off to sleep.  It also glows pink as this is really comforting to babies and has several calming noises to choose from

5. Leather Moccasin £25.99 from Zara - Baby moccasins are just TOO cute aren't they!!?  I have seen at least 5 or 6 pairs in Zara alone that I feel baby Harry must have in his life!  I know he won't be wearing shoes anytime soon but it doesn't hurt for him to have a few in his closet does it..  These red leather ones from Zara are my absolute favourite!

6.  Elephant Nursery Prints £39.33 from Etsy - I fell in love with these prints a while ago when I came across them on Etsy!  They inspired our nursery theme and colour scheme and i can't wait to buy them and put them up on the wall!!

Whats on your pregnancy wishlist??